Heart Rate Monitor Recommendations?

I'm looking into buying a heart rate monitor, and was hoping to get some recommendations, or warnings as to which ones to stay away from.

I've heard that the ones made by Polar are good - but that you have to ship them back to Polar to change the batteries? What is the charge for that? (Some say its cheaper to just buy a new one!). I've also heard the models without the chest strap aren't accurate -- any comments?

I don't need anything fancy - I just want to be able to quickly and accurately check my heart rate while on the treadmill. I don't need any of the other bells and whistles.  I don't really want to spend over $75 ($50 even better), but will go up to $100 if I have to.

So, what brands/models is everyone out there using?

Thanks!

Polar F6 Hands down.

 

 

love my polar watch, and I like the bells and whistles......got mine for $150 .....does the heart rate, and also counts the calories.... had it over a year...no new battery needed...had my trainer tell  me how to use it ....til i finally learned how it works,  now i never take it offgood luck on your search

This is a very common question on this forum and Polar brands usually win by far.  I don't know what kind you can get for your budget I mean if you want one to just do heart rate go to walmart and you can get a basic polar for about 35 but if you want cal counts you'll need to invest a bit more.

You also do not need to return the model back to Polar to change the battery -- I take mine to a jewler and they usually do it for free and recently started changing it myself.  If you have a small jewler screwdriver and good eyesight you can do it yourself.

I would also recommend getting the one with the straps.  I don't even notice the strap -   I use a Polar F11 which is a bit more pricey and has some of the bells and whistles, but my first model I used was just the HRM no watch no cal burn and it too was a Polar

F6. AWESOME

I love my Polar that has the chest strap and the watch.

Original Post by dbackerfan:

I would also recommend getting the one with the straps.  I don't even notice the strap -   I use a Polar F11 which is a bit more pricey and has some of the bells and whistles, but my first model I used was just the HRM no watch no cal burn and it too was a Polar

Where on the chest does the strap go?  It doesn't itch from sweating?

Original Post by valsgoal:

Where on the chest does the strap go?  It doesn't itch from sweating?

Its just like wearing a bra - there are even some sports bras that polar sells that you thread the strap thru so you only have the sports bra "feel". 

My strap never bothers me except when it gets loose then I have to adjust it sometimes to keep it from slipping too far down.

I loved my Polar F6...but I lost it :(  I think in my scatter-brain-ness I might have thrown it away :(  I miss it  :(

I bought a Polar (F4) at store.....I love it.

I just bought the F6 from ebay for $40.00 brand new.

Should be getting it this week.  I LOVE them and wont work out without them.

~H~